Ms. Lois Davison and Dr. Sydney Blakenshipby Dr. Sydney Blakenship, PGY-2

For many UAB Internal Medicine residents, the 9th floor of Spain-Wallace starts to feel like home, and the staff becomes like family. There, the saying, “it takes a village,” proves true. One employee in particular, Ms. Lois, has been the heart and soul of the S9 unit for the past 44 years. Through the HIV epidemic in the 1980s, and through the COVID pandemic in 2020, she has kept the unit running; and she always does it with a smile. I had the pleasure to sit down and talk with her as she reflected back on her years as Unit Secretary.

Q: How long have you been working at UAB?

L: “44 years. I've been with internal medicine the entire time. When I first started, the Spain-Wallace building didn’t exist yet. Internal Medicine was initially on the 6th floor until they decided to make that a cardiac unit so it would be closer to the Cath Lab. At that time, they moved us up to S9. There’s been several name changes for the S9 unit through the years. First it was just called ‘Internal Medicine,’ then ‘Tinsley Harrison,’ and now ‘GMID.’ “

Q: What’s been your favorite part of working here through the years?

L: “You know, when I first came here the game plan was to only stay for 5 years. Then I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. William Dismukes. It was something about him. The passion, drive, love, and patience that he had for his patients, their families, and all of us on staff just made me think, ‘Wow, I can do this!’ So, then I fell in love with this place and all the doctors, residents and interns I work with. Most of the attendings now were my baby doctor interns back in the day when I first met them. Through the years, I’ve watched them all assure each other that, ‘Ms. Lois is gonna take care of you!’ It’s been fun to watch everything come full circle. The other day I met Jackson Hosley, and I can remember when his dad was a resident. I used to babysit the Hosley boys on Saturdays at the nurses’ station. They would sit and eat donuts with me while their dad was on rounds.”

Q: So is July 1st crazy for you every year, when the new interns start?

L: “Oh yeah. Everybody’s gotta learn how to get medical records and how to fax. The interns come up every year and say, ‘I need to ask you a stupid question.’ And every year I tell them that there are no stupid questions, and I’m here for anything they need. I have 2 nieces that went through medical school, and I told them the same thing I tell the interns every year, ‘Your best friends are the nurses, secretaries, and PCTs. Always form a bond with them because they are the ones that can protect you and shield you.’”

Q: What has been your most memorable story over the last 44 years?

L: “It’d have to be Mr. G. I can still remember what room he stayed in. He was dropped off in the ED from his nursing home. He had been off his medications for a while and was acting like a terror. Everyone was afraid of him and the nursing home had refused to take him back. So, one day I noticed he was eating the same meal for lunch every day, so I simply asked if he wanted to try something new. He smiled and told me he did. After that we became friends and he warmed up to the whole unit. Every morning he would greet the nurses and rounding teams. We all became really fond of him. We bought him clothes, and I even cut his hair. He stayed with us for over 6 months. His family couldn’t make it up for his birthday, so we all threw him a party. He was so surprised and thankful, he started to cry. When he finally left the hospital and was placed at a nursing home in Mobile, I could tell he was sad to leave. So, I made a promise to him that I would still visit every year on Christmas and his birthday, and I did every year until COVID! The first time I went down to see him on Christmas he was so surprised, but I reminded him that a promise is a promise.

Q: What do you like to do for fun when you aren’t at work?

L: “I love to get in the car and cruise around and see what all is going on. I especially like going to the casino! I also love concerts, mostly jazz. But the best thing really is spending time with my family.”

Thanks for all you do, Ms. Lois! Generations of UAB residents have started their careers right here with you on S9. Thank you so much for supporting and teaching each of us. We are so lucky to have you on our team!